Sand Batteries For Solar Energy Storage
Researchers from Masdar Institute have successfully demonstrated that desert sand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could be utilised as an alternative to molten salts for concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal energy storage. Using the sand could be a cheaper and more sustainable approach for CSP facilities in the UAE. Instead of importing salts from […]
Solar Farm ‘Common Sense’ For Queensland’s Fraser Coast
Campaigning on a platform of “common sense”, Fraser Coast Regional Council mayoral hopeful Chris Loft say he will initiate a solar farm feasibility study if elected. “There are many issues on the Fraser Coast Region; none of which are more important than rising energy prices,” says Cr. Loft; who also points to issues with unreliable […]
Infosys Embraces Solar Power
Infosys has announced the launched of a huge solar power plant at its Pocharam campus in Hyderabad, making it one of the first corporate campuses in India run completely on renewable energy. Infosys, headquartered in India, is a multinational corporation providing business consulting, information technology, software engineering and outsourcing services. It’s a huge employer, with […]
Solar Sunflower To Power Woodford Folk Festival Concert
Southern Cross University’s Sunflower won’t just be creating solar electricity for a concert at Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, but making its own musical contribution as well. A project of SCU School of Arts and Social Sciences, the Sunflower is a mobile solar power system featuring a 1.2 kW array of solar panels, a lithium […]
Making Perovskite Solar Cells From Old Car Batteries
MIT researchers have created perovskite solar cells using the lead recovered from old car batteries. Car batteries have a high degree of recyclability; for example the lead in a battery can be used to make more batteries. But with lead-free car batteries on the horizon; a major market for this lead could disappear. An emerging […]
Court Rules Against ‘Solar Tax’ In South Australia
A decision in the Federal Court to prevent a “solar tax” being applied in South Australia has implications nationally. Yesterday, Justice John Mansfield ruled in favour of an earlier decision that would prevent SA Power Networks “gouging solar rooftop owners” says Solar Citizens. SA Power Networks had appealed against the Australian Energy Regulator’s decision to […]
Wind Power Helping Tasmania Through Basslink Fault
A fault in the Basslink interconnector between Tasmania and Victoria coupled with low rainfall in spring has put the Apple Isle in a challenging situation; but wind power is helping to maintain electricity supply. Basslink enables trade of electricity between Tasmania and the National Electricity Market (NEM). It was implemented to protect Tasmania against the […]
American Wind Power Capacity Tops 70GW
Enough wind turbine capacity is now installed in the USA and Puerto Rico to supply more than 19 million typical American homes with clean, cheap electricity. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the 70GW installed capacity mark was achieved in November. “This American wind power success story just gets better. There’s now enough […]
Another Solar Powered Car-Cycle – Mö
With normal use of 10-25 kilometres per day, “mö” can get all the power it needs from the sun. Spanish company Evovelo is in the midst of a beta-testing program of its fully-enclosed solar and pedal powered car-cycle that it says will be approved for use as a tandem tricycle (in Spain anyway). Mö is […]
Battery System Subsidies For Canberra
More than more 5,000 homes and businesses in Canberra will benefit from subsidised solar power system battery storage over the next 4 years. Announced last week, Minister for the Environment Simon Corbell said the ACT Government will support 36 megawatts of battery storage through a renewables auction program commencing in 2016. The pilot round will […]